Photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped WO3-Eu2(WO4)3 composites and single-phase Eu2(WO4)3 powders

The development of highly stable and efficient oxide-based red phosphors is urgently required for next-generation lighting devices. Herein, we report the micro/crystal structures and luminescent properties of single-phase Eu₂(WO₄)₃ and Eu³⁺-doped WO₃-Eu₂(WO₄)₃ composite phosphors prepared by a one-step conventional solid-state reaction method in air atmosphere. As increasing Eu contents in the mixtures of WO₃ and Eu₂O₃, the intensities of the X-ray diffraction peaks of Eu₂(WO₄)₃ increased while that of WO₃ decreased. The photoluminescence intensity of the synthesized phosphors increased with increase in the Eu content when calcined at 900 °C, while it degraded at a higher temperature. Red-emitting single-phase Eu₂(WO₄)₃ powders were successfully obtained when the WO₃ and Eu₂O₃ powders were calcined in the ratio of 3:1. The intensity of the red emission spectra of the Eu₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor was higher than those of the 6, 12, and 24 at.% Eu-added WO₃ composites at excitation wavelengths of 394 and 465 nm. On the other hand, the intensity of emission from the single-phase phosphor was lower than that of the Eu-doped WO₃-Eu₂(WO₄)₃ composites under excitation of UV light at 254 nm. Thus, we propose two prospective phosphors for application as red phosphors at various wavelengths.     

Improved quantum efficiency of Sr(Al,Si)5(O,N)7:Ce3+ by selection of Ce raw material

The luminescence properties of yellow-emitting Ce³⁺-doped Sr-containing sialon phosphor Sr(Al,Si)₅(O,N)₇:Ce³⁺ were notably improved by the Ce raw material selection. By changing the Ce raw material from oxides to nitrides or chlorides, the emission wavelength shifted to above 560 nm, which is beneficial for higher color rendering index white light-emitting diodes. This result from an increase in the covalency of the host crystal being associated with a decrease in the oxygen content. When Ce chloride was used, both the absorption and internal quantum efficiency increased, resulting in an increase in the external quantum efficiency up to 65%–72%. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and electron spin resonance measurements showed that the reason for the absorption increase is an increase in Ce³⁺ content and suppression of the generation of the second phase, and the reason for the increase in the internal quantum efficiency is a decrease in the host crystal absorption via suppression of anion vacancy generation. It was found that Ce chloride not only suppresses oxygen impurities but also acts as a flux that results in improved crystallinity.     

Mn4+-activated KLaMgWO6: A new high-efficiency far-red phosphor for indoor plant growth LEDs

Novel Mn⁴⁺-activated KLaMgWO₆ red phosphors with different Mn⁴⁺ concentrations were successfully synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The phase formation, microstructure, photoluminescence properties, decay lifetimes and internal quantum efficiency were discussed to analyze the properties of the as-prepared phosphors. The samples belonged to monoclinic crystal system with enough WO₆ octahedrons that provided suitable sites for Mn⁴⁺ ions. Upon the excitation of 348?nm, KLaMgWO₆:Mn⁴⁺ phosphors gave bright far-red emission around 696?nm due to the ²E_g→⁴A_2g transition of Mn⁴⁺ ions. The critical concentration of Mn⁴⁺ was 0.6?mol% and the concentration quenching mechanism belonged to electric multipolar interaction. Besides, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of the KLaMgWO₆:0.6%Mn⁴⁺ phosphor were (0.7205, 0.2794) which located in deep red range, and its color purity reached up to 96.6%. The KLaMgWO₆:0.6%Mn⁴⁺ sample also exhibited high internal quantum efficiency of 43%. All of the admirable optical properties indicate that the KLaMgWO₆:Mn⁴⁺ phosphors can be applied to indoor plant growth illumination.     

An orange-emitting phosphor BaSrGa4O8:Bi3+,K+ with unique one-dimensional chain structure for high index color WLEDs

It has been an urgent need for developing a new bright long-wave emitting phosphor to improve the color rendering index (CRI) of white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). Here, based on the concept of oxygen vacancy-induced long-wave emission by Bi³⁺ doping, we selected BaSrGa₄O₈ as the matrix, which has a low-dimensional chain structure that can produce enough oxygen vacancies. After the introduction of Bi³⁺, orange emission was successfully achieved. To further improve the luminescence efficiency, the system of BaSrGa₄O₈:Bi³⁺,K⁺ was designed. Interestingly, although significant emission enhancement was obtained, the material showed reduced absorption with increased oxygen vacancies. More detailed experimental evidences confirm that oxygen vacancies can activate Bi³⁺ to achieve long-wave emission. Our results provide a new way to design Bi³⁺-based long-wave emitting phosphors with low-dimensional crystal structure. Finally, a WLED device containing BaSrGa₄O₈:Bi³⁺,K⁺ was fabricated and exhibited an enhanced CRI, which shows a promising application in WLEDs.     

Synthesis of blue-emitting AlN:Eu2+ spherical phosphors by carbothermal reduction nitridation method

In this study, blue-emitting AlN:Eu²⁺ spherical phosphors were successfully synthesized for the first time by the carbothermal reduction nitridation (CRN) method, assisted with high nitrogen pressure, appropriate synthesis temperature, and the addition of CaF₂. The influence of typical experimental parameters, such as N₂ pressure, heating temperature, CaF₂ content and Eu²⁺ concentration on the morphologies and luminescence properties of AlN phosphors were comprehensively investigated. The formation mechanism of spherical morphology were significantly proffered, indicating that sufficient liquid Ca-aluminates during the AlN growth stage were essential for the spheroidization process under the action of surface tension. The synthesized AlN:Eu²⁺ spherical phosphors presented an intense blue emission band centered in the range of 427- 476 nm relative to the reaction temperature. The lifetime of AlN:Eu²⁺ phosphor was calculated to be around 1.89 μs. The temperature-dependent PL spectra suggested that the emission band did not shift until 225°C. In addition, the spectral analysis strongly suggested that the luminescence property of AlN:Eu²⁺ phosphors was significantly enhanced by the large particle size, spherical morphology, reduced impurity content, and appropriate Eu²⁺ concentration.     

Neoteric Mn2+-activated Cs3Cu2I5 dazzling yellow-emitting phosphors for white-LED

Neoteric Mn²⁺-activated Cs₃Cu₂I₅ yellow-emitting halides were achieved by the simple solid-state reaction route. The near-ultraviolet light was the suitable excitation lighting source for the resultant halides. The resultant halides exhibited bright yellow emission under the excitation of 378 nm and the optimum dopant content was 11 mol%. The multipole-multipole interaction contributed to the concentration quenching mechanism and the critical distance was 28.65 Å. The thermal resistance of the prepared compounds was identified by the temperature-dependent emission spectra. Ultimately, the designed light-emitting diode showed bright white light with satisfied color rendering index, proper color coordinate, and suitable correlated color temperature. These results indicated that the prepared yellow-emitting halides were suitable for indoor illumination.     

A review of phosphorescent and fluorescent phosphors for fingerprint detection

Currently, the efficient detection of fingerprints is essential for the crime investigations. Revealing fingerprints is commonly achieved with fluorescent organic compounds but they are not efficient for fingerprint detection on porous or reflective surfaces. In order to solve the problem of collecting fingerprints on porous/reflective surfaces, inorganic phosphors have been employed, since they have characteristics of variable color emission, afterglow, high chemical stability and nano-size, which allow the fingerprint detection on any porous or non-porous surfaces. Due to these last properties, this review presents a summary about the use of phosphorescent and fluorescent phosphors for the detection of latent fingerprints. First, we discussed the main physical and chemical characteristics of the fingerprints which permit their detection and collection from any surface. After this, we presented the main morphological, structural and luminescent properties of the phosphorescent and fluorescent phosphors that allow their use for fingerprint detection. Later, we demonstrated with pictures of fingerprints (with and without light emission from the phosphors deposited on them) that both, phosphorescent and fluorescent phosphors can be used to visualize fingerprints with high resolution and high contrast without interference of the background surface, which is ideal for its collection and registration in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). We believe that this review could be useful to understand how to select an appropriate phosphorescent or fluorescent material for fingerprint detection depending on the type of surface (porous or non-porous, reflective or not reflective) where the fingerprint is deposited.     

夜光粉表面包覆的研究

介绍了国内夜光粉表面包覆技术的现状,并指出了引起夜光粉水解的原因,夜光粉SrAl2O4：Eu,Dy经包覆后在水中浸泡5天仍有1500 mcd/m2的初始亮度,未经处理的夜光粉几乎失去发光性能.经包覆处理后的夜光粉表面有一层连续致密的保护层,大大提高了它的化学稳定性和发光亮度,拓宽了夜光粉的应用领域.     

Enhanced luminescence performances of Mn~(4+)-activated Sr_4Al_(14)O_(25) red phosphors by doping with Sc~(3+) ions

A series of non-rare earth Mn⁴⁺-activated strontium aluminate phosphors Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Mn⁴⁺co-doped with Sc³⁺ions were successfully synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method.XRD result reveals that there is no introduction of additional phase but expansion of lattice with incorporation of Sc34 ions.Excitation and emission spectrum measurement shows that the synthesized phosphors can be efficiently excited by near-ultraviolet and blue light,and a deep red emission centered at 652 nm with a narrow full width at half maximum(FWHM)can be obtained,which is attributed to the transition²E→⁴A₂of Mn⁴⁺ions.In addition,the crystal field strength parameter(Dq)and Racah parameters(B,C)and energies of states were calculated based on experimental data.Moreover,the luminous intensity of Sr₄Al_14-xSCxO₂₅:Mn⁴⁺is enhanced and increased by 60%compared with Mn⁴⁺single incorporated sample at x=0.06.A phenomenon of redshift is observed in the excitation spectrum and discussed systematically.Finally,the mechanism of the positive effects with Sc³⁺ions incorporated into lattice is discussed in detail.All the results suggest that the Sr₄Al_13.94Sc_0.06O₂₅:Mn⁴⁺phosphor will become one of the great candidates for backlight of LCD.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and anti-thermal quenching performance of Lu2Sr(1−x)Al4SiO12:xEu2+ phosphors

With high-temperature solid-state reaction method, a series of Lu₂Sr_(1−x)Al₄SiO₁₂:xEu²⁺ phosphors have been synthesized. With Rietveld refinement method, the crystal structure of Lu₂SrAl₄SiO₁₂ has been refined. Under the excitation of the ultraviolet and violet band light, Lu₂Sr_(1−x)Al₄SiO₁₂:xEu²⁺ emits the Eu²⁺ characteristic blue broadband light. The photoluminescence properties of concentration quenching, emission peak shift, reflectance spectra, and luminescence decay have been investigated. With the structure analyses, the corresponding physical mechanisms have been discussed. With the increased temperature, this phosphor shows well thermal stabilities. For the x_Eu = 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1 phosphors, the strong anti-thermal quenching performance has been observed. The reason for the anti-thermal quenching of this phosphor has been discussed. The trap capture mechanism may be the suitable physical mechanism to explain the anti-thermal quenching of this phosphor. This phosphor shows the potential applications in the white LED lighting fields.